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Things to do in South Shields: the complete guide

Last checked: 10 November 2026. Each fact links to the venue, council or organiser it comes from. This winter some big sights are shut: see winter closures first.

South Shields sits where the Tyne meets the North Sea, with three beaches, two miles of clifftop on The Leas, a Roman fort, a free museum and a seafront of parks, a funfair and amusements. This guide goes through each one: what it is, what it costs if anything, when it's open and how it fits into a day. For a quick list see Free things to do; with children, see Family days out; if it's raining, Rainy-day ideas.

Winter closures · Beaches · Marsden, The Leas and Souter · Roman fort and museum · The Word and The Customs House · Parks · Funfair, soft play and pools · The ferry · Walks and public art · Market, football and food

This winter: what's closed

The beaches

Sandhaven is the main beach, a long stretch of sand and dunes along Sea Road with the funfair, The Dunes and South Marine Park behind it. It holds a Seaside Award and was The Sunday Times' UK beach of the year in 2022. (Visit South Tyneside: Sandhaven Beach; checked 10 Nov 2026) Dogs are banned from Sandhaven between 8am and 6pm from 1 May to 30 September. (Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 10 Nov 2026)

Littlehaven is the smaller beach at the mouth of the Tyne, sheltered by the South Pier, with a promenade, public art and views of ships coming and going. (Visit South Tyneside: Littlehaven Beach; checked 10 Nov 2026) Dogs are allowed all year, and it's the beach Visit South Tyneside suggests for rock pools. (Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; Visit South Tyneside: Family fun; checked 4 Nov 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026)

Marsden is below the cliffs to the south, with Marsden Rock and Camel Island offshore. Getting down is harder this winter (see above); dogs are allowed all year. (Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay; Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 10 Nov 2026) Always check the tide before exploring rocks: see our tides and rock pooling FAQ.

Marsden Bay, The Leas and Souter Lighthouse

The coast south of the town is the most dramatic part of South Shields. The Leas is two miles of clifftop grassland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, running from the Second World War gun at Trow Rocks towards Marsden Bay and Souter, and it's good for walking, kite flying and dog walking. (Visit South Tyneside: The Leas; Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay; checked 4 Nov 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026)

Marsden Bay has limestone cliffs, caves and arches and one of England's most important seabird colonies, with thousands of pairs of kittiwakes, fulmars, gulls and cormorants. (Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay; checked 10 Nov 2026) At the foot of the cliff, the Marsden Grotto is a pub and restaurant reached by a lift (8am–10pm); food is served 12–9pm, and it may close at high tide. (The Grotto, Marsden (venue website); checked 3 Nov 2026) More: Marsden Bay, the Grotto and Marsden Rock.

Souter Lighthouse, a National Trust property on Coast Road, Whitburn, about a 10-minute walk along the coast from Marsden Bay, was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity. (Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay; National Trust: Souter Lighthouse and The Leas; checked 3 Nov 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026) When it is open, entry is £7 for adults and £3.50 for children (more with Gift Aid), and National Trust members go free. (National Trust: Souter Lighthouse and The Leas; checked 3 Nov 2026) See Souter Lighthouse for parking and dogs.

Arbeia Roman Fort and South Shields Museum

Arbeia, on Baring Street, is described by the council as one of the UK's most important archaeological sites. (Visit South Tyneside: Attractions; checked 10 Nov 2026) Entry is normally free and it is about a 14-minute walk from the transport interchange, but it is closed until spring 2027. (North East Museums: Visit Arbeia; checked 3 Nov 2026) The one public event this winter is the Candlelit Tours on Saturday 12 December (£12, ages 12+), which were listed as sold out when we checked. (North East Museums: Candlelit Tours at Arbeia; checked 3 Nov 2026) See Arbeia.

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, 10 Ocean Road, NE33 2JA, is free and open Monday to Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 11am–4pm (closed Sunday). It has the Victorian Pantry tea room. (North East Museums: Visit South Shields Museum & Art Gallery; checked 3 Nov 2026) Visit South Tyneside lists free children's activities such as treasure hunts and crafts. (Visit South Tyneside: Family fun; checked 4 Nov 2026)

The Word and The Customs House

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, in the Market Place, is the town's library, exhibition space and visitor information centre, with a shop and café. The building is open Monday to Thursday 9am–7pm, Friday 9am–5pm, and weekends 10am–4pm. (The Word, National Centre for the Written Word: opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026) The visitor information centre sells foreshore parking permits and event tickets as well as local souvenirs. (Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 10 Nov 2026)

The Customs House on Mill Dam, by the river, is the town's theatre and cinema. This Christmas it has the panto Sleeping Beauty from 20 November to 2 January. (SouthShields.org listing: Sleeping Beauty; checked 5 Nov 2026) Its programme is on the venue website. (The Customs House: What's on; checked 8 Nov 2026) See Christmas in South Shields 2026 and What's on.

Parks

South Marine Park, Sea Road, is free to get in, with a boating lake, café, play areas with water play, picnic tables, toilets and an art trail. The pedalos and the railway cost extra. Dogs must be on a lead there. (South Tyneside Council: South Marine Park; Visit South Tyneside: South Marine Park; checked 4 Nov 2026) Its Lakeshore Railroad is a 9½-inch gauge steam railway that has run round the lake since 1972; in autumn it runs at weekends, weather permitting. (Lakeshore Railroad, South Marine Park (railway website); checked 4 Nov 2026)

North Marine Park, Lawe Road, near Littlehaven, has a themed play area inspired by the town's maritime past and Arbeia, an adult fitness trail and a viewing platform over the river mouth. It is free and open at all times. (Visit South Tyneside: North Marine Park; checked 4 Nov 2026) Bents Park on Sea Road is a big open seafront park for picnics and games, used for summer events, and is where the Great North Run finishes. (South Tyneside Council: Bents Park; checked 4 Nov 2026) See Great North Run 2027.

Funfair, soft play and pools

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, Sea Road, is described by the council as North East England's only seaside funfair. (Visit South Tyneside: Attractions; checked 10 Nov 2026) In November its laser tag and arcades open on Fridays 2–6pm and weekends 11am–6pm; summer ride dates for 2027 are not yet announced. (Ocean Beach Pleasure Park: events and opening; checked 8 Nov 2026)

The Dunes, also on Sea Road, has a galleon-themed soft play over five levels, a toddler area, 12-lane ten-pin bowling, arcades and food. It opens every day from 10am. (Visit South Tyneside: The Dunes; The Dunes Adventure Island (venue website); checked 4 Nov 2026) Jumbo Jim's is soft play for children up to 8, with a baby and toddler zone; entry is £7.50 for children aged 2 and over, and adults go free. (Jumbo Jim's children's play area (venue website); checked 4 Nov 2026) Haven Point, the council leisure centre on the seafront, has a learner pool and slides. (Visit South Tyneside: Family fun; checked 4 Nov 2026)

Cross the Tyne on the Shields Ferry

The Nexus ferry crosses to North Shields in about seven minutes, every 30 minutes. From South Shields boats leave at quarter past and quarter to the hour; the first is at 06:45 Monday to Saturday and 10:15 on Sunday, and the last is 19:45 Monday to Wednesday, 22:40 Thursday to Saturday and 17:45 on Sunday. (Travel North East (Nexus): Shields Ferry timetable; checked 3 Nov 2026) See The Shields Ferry.

Walks and public art

The council's Seafront Saunter starts at Pierhead car park and loops past Haven Point, The Eye, Littlehaven Promenade, the South Pier and South Marine Park: 1.75 miles (or a 1-mile short version), allow 1 to 1.5 hours, on paved paths with a short uneven stretch on the pier. (Visit South Tyneside: Seafront Saunter, Sandhaven and beyond; checked 10 Nov 2026) On the way you pass The Eye by Stephen Broadbent and Juan Muñoz's Conversation Piece, the figures locals call "the weebles". (Visit South Tyneside: A walk by the seaside; checked 10 Nov 2026)

For a longer clifftop walk, follow The Leas from Trow Point to Marsden Bay and Souter. A council wellbeing walk covers that route on Monday 30 November, leaving The Word at 10am. (Shields Gazette, 3 Nov 2026: wellbeing walk; checked 3 Nov 2026)

Market, football and food

South Shields Market runs on Saturdays, 9am–3pm, outside The Word, and has free family entertainment on Saturdays through the winter, including Santa on 21 November. (Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026)

Football: South Shields FC play in the National League North at Mariners Park (Wolf Competitions Stadium), Shaftesbury Avenue, NE32 3UP. The next home game is Tuesday 17 November against Harborough Town, 7:45pm. (South Shields FC: Match centre; SouthShields.org listing: South Shields v Harborough Town; checked 8 Nov 2026)

Food: Ocean Road, between the town centre and the sea, is the main restaurant street; see Ocean Road restaurants. For sea views, see Food with a view, and for dogs, Dog-friendly places.

Christmas and winter events

The Christmas lights switch-on is in the Market Place on Thursday 19 November 2026 (start time not yet announced), followed by Santa at the market on Saturday 21 November. (South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market; checked 10 Nov 2026) Pantos, Christmas markets and festive films are in our Christmas in South Shields 2026 guide, and everything else dated is on Events.

Toilets and accessibility

Seafront public toilets (Amphitheatre, South Promenade, Bents Park, South Marine Park, Haven Point car park and Coast Road by the Grotto) are open 9am–4pm until 24 March 2027, then 9am–6pm until 30 September; the accessible toilets at Haven Point car park and the Grotto are open 24 hours. (South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026) There are Changing Places toilets at South Shields Town Hall, Bents Park and Souter Lighthouse. (South Tyneside Council: Changing Places toilets; checked 4 Nov 2026) Beach Access North East lends free beach wheelchairs from Sandhaven; book on 0300 999 4444. (South Tyneside Council: Adapted wheelchairs for the sand and sea; checked 4 Nov 2026) More: Accessible South Shields.

Ideas for different kinds of day

Getting here and around

South Shields is the end of the Metro's Yellow line, about 27 minutes from Newcastle Central, and the seafront is about a ten-minute walk down Ocean Road from the town centre. (Travel North East (Nexus): South Shields Metro station; Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 3 Nov 2026; checked 10 Nov 2026) Details: Getting here and Parking.

Sources for this page

  1. North East Museums: Visit Arbeia, checked 3 Nov 2026
  2. National Trust: Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, checked 3 Nov 2026
  3. South Tyneside Council, 21 Oct 2026: Major work to replace Marsden steps, checked 10 Nov 2026
  4. Visit South Tyneside: Sandhaven Beach, checked 10 Nov 2026
  5. Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches, checked 10 Nov 2026
  6. Visit South Tyneside: Littlehaven Beach, checked 10 Nov 2026
  7. Visit South Tyneside: Family fun, checked 4 Nov 2026
  8. Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay, checked 10 Nov 2026
  9. Visit South Tyneside: The Leas, checked 4 Nov 2026
  10. The Grotto, Marsden (venue website), checked 3 Nov 2026
  11. Visit South Tyneside: Attractions, checked 10 Nov 2026
  12. North East Museums: Candlelit Tours at Arbeia, checked 3 Nov 2026
  13. North East Museums: Visit South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, checked 3 Nov 2026
  14. The Word, National Centre for the Written Word: opening times, checked 3 Nov 2026
  15. SouthShields.org listing: Sleeping Beauty, checked 5 Nov 2026
  16. The Customs House: What's on, checked 8 Nov 2026
  17. South Tyneside Council: South Marine Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
  18. Visit South Tyneside: South Marine Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
  19. Lakeshore Railroad, South Marine Park (railway website), checked 4 Nov 2026
  20. Visit South Tyneside: North Marine Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
  21. South Tyneside Council: Bents Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
  22. Ocean Beach Pleasure Park: events and opening, checked 8 Nov 2026
  23. Visit South Tyneside: The Dunes, checked 4 Nov 2026
  24. The Dunes Adventure Island (venue website), checked 4 Nov 2026
  25. Jumbo Jim's children's play area (venue website), checked 4 Nov 2026
  26. Travel North East (Nexus): Shields Ferry timetable, checked 3 Nov 2026
  27. Visit South Tyneside: Seafront Saunter, Sandhaven and beyond, checked 10 Nov 2026
  28. Visit South Tyneside: A walk by the seaside, checked 10 Nov 2026
  29. Shields Gazette, 3 Nov 2026: wellbeing walk, checked 3 Nov 2026
  30. Visit South Tyneside: South Shields Market, checked 10 Nov 2026
  31. South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market, checked 10 Nov 2026
  32. South Shields FC: Match centre, checked 8 Nov 2026
  33. SouthShields.org listing: South Shields v Harborough Town, checked 8 Nov 2026
  34. South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times, checked 3 Nov 2026
  35. South Tyneside Council: Changing Places toilets, checked 4 Nov 2026
  36. South Tyneside Council: Adapted wheelchairs for the sand and sea, checked 4 Nov 2026
  37. Travel North East (Nexus): South Shields Metro station, checked 3 Nov 2026